Beware: Australian outbreak hints at bad Ohio flu season

According to a new report, experts say its best to make sure children are vaccinated by the end of October, or as soon as the flu shot is available.

The flu season is just getting underway in Ohio, but if Australia’s experience with influenza is any guide, Ohioans should be prepared to feel aches and pains in the coming months.

Australia and other parts of the southern hemisphere, which has an earlier flu season than the U.S., saw record high rates of flu cases and hospitalizations.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen but there’s a chance we could have a season similar to Australia,” Dr. Daniel Jernigan, influenza chief at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told The Associated Press.

Dan Suffoletto, spokesman for Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County, said everyone older than six months should get vaccinated, especially those at higher risk like the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.

Pharmacies, doctors offices and Public Health are among places where residents can get flu vaccines.

Dr. Bruce Binder with Wright State Physicians said it is not too late to get vaccinated against the flu. While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, flu activity is usually highest between December and February.

“An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu,” Binder said. “When you get a flu vaccination, you protect not only yourself, but also the people around you, including babies and young children, older people and people with chronic health conditions.”

Wright State Physicians has walk-in flu shot clinic at the 725 University Blvd. health center this week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each year the flu leads to illness, hospitalizations, missed work or school days and even death.

The CDC has changed its recommendation for people with egg allergies, now saying that even people with severe reactions like hives can now get the vaccine, though should get it in a medical office setting and not at a pharmacy.

The FDA also approved a generic version of Tamiflu, with both versions for treating patients within 48 hours of when flu-like symptoms appear, like fevers, chills, coughing, muscle aches, congestion, headaches and fatigue.